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- Sargassum, a type of brown seaweed, is expected to increase on Florida’s shores in the coming weeks.
- The University of South Florida predicts a significant sargassum season in 2025.
- Red tide is not currently present in Florida as of April 8.
While it’s finally the time of year for spontaneous and relaxing beach trips for Floridians, it’s also when heavy blankets of smelly seaweed coat our coasts.
Sargassum, a naturally occurring type of macroalgae, is headed to our shorelines in the coming weeks. Here’s what to know and what it means for your next beach day.
What is sargassum? Where does the sargassum come from?
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, sargassum contains pelagic species of brown seaweed that originate offshore in the Atlantic Ocean and float on the ocean surface.
“Sargassum provides many marine ecosystem benefits, including providing habitat for an array of animals such as crabs, shrimp, sea turtles, and fish,” FWC writes. “It also serves as a primary nursery area for a variety of economically important fishes such as mahi mahi, jacks and amberjacks.”
Sargassum season hits its peak from April to August, during the warm months. Since 2011, it has been more abundant in the Central Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of America (formerly Mexico).
Where is sargassum currently?
The University of South Florida regularly monitors, researches and forecasts sargassum blooms. According to its March 2025 report, last month shows average sargassum abundance.
“As predicted last month, the Sargassum amount in each of the 5 regions increased in March, with mostincreases in the eastern Caribbean Sea and tropical Atlantic. Such increases are due to both localgrowth and physical transport.”
It notes the amount of sargassum in the Gulf is still low, but there are signs that it will be transported to the Straits of Florida in the coming weeks. They also predict it to increase this month, expecting 2025 to be another big year for sargassum.
“There is a relatively large amount in offshore waters east of Florida, but the probability of this Sargassum reaching the east coast is low because the strong Gulf Stream may serve as a barrier.”
To check the water quality and algae blooms near you, click here to see USA Today’s database.
Look back at the sargassum blob in 2024
Is sargassum toxic to humans?
In the water, sargassum is considered harmless to people.
On land, sargassum rots and produces hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, which smells similar to rotten eggs. It can irritate eyes, ears, and noses. People with asthma or other breathing illnesses may have trouble breathing if they inhale too much of it. However, moving air in open areas like beaches usually dilutes the gas to non-harmful levels.
According to the Florida Department of Health, the seaweed can also host tiny sea creatures that can cause skin rashes and blisters.
Can you swim in water with sargassum?
If you don’t have any open wounds, you should be OK to swim in waters with sargassum. However, it is still recommended by FDOH to avoid touching or swimming near it.
How can I report Sargassum blooms?
The FWC asks those who wish to report sargassum blooms to go to the NOAA and USF’s experimental Sargassum Inundation Report.
Will there be red tide in Florida during the summer?
Karenia brevis is a naturally occurring, single-celled organism belonging to a group of algae called dinoflagellates. Large concentrations can discolor water from red to brown, causing blooms to be called “red tides.”
According to USA Today’s database, red tide has not been detected in Florida as of April 8.
